12 Must Know Tips for Editing Your Online Course Videos Easily

Ever wonder what makes some online course videos stand out and keep students coming back for more? It’s all about the editing! In this blog post, we’ll dive into the 12 essential tips for editing your online course that will make your content shine. 

Ready to take your course videos from good to great?

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Need Help Editing Your Educational Videos?

If editing isn’t your thing or you want something extra special, I can help! I offer educational video editing services that are fully aligned with your brand, giving your students a seamless and professional learning experience.

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1. Use Overlays

Overlays are an amazing way to add extra depth to your videos. Think of them as little info bursts that pop up to highlight important points, definitions, or even fun facts that you want your students to focus on. 

They can also serve as branding tools, using colors and fonts consistent with your brand can make your course feel cohesive and polished.

Benefits of Overlays:

• Engagement
  Overlays keep your students visually engaged by breaking up the monotony of a talking head video. When you add a splash of text or a graphic, it gives your audience something new to look at, making the content more dynamic and less likely to become a snooze fest. It’s like having mini interludes that keep the viewer’s attention fresh and focused.
• Clarification
  Overlays are perfect for reinforcing key points or simplifying complex information. Imagine you’re explaining a tricky concept, an overlay can pop up with a quick definition or a helpful example, making it easier for your students to grasp and remember the material. It’s like having a helpful study buddy right on the screen!
• Branding
  Custom overlays aren’t just for decoration, trust me. They’re a powerful branding tool. By using colors and fonts that align with your brand, you can make your course look cohesive and polished. 

This consistency helps in building a strong visual identity, making your content instantly recognizable and reinforcing your brand’s presence.

2. Use Pexels for B-Rolls

B-rolls are the extra footage you see in professional videos, cutaways that add context or simply make the visuals more dynamic. 

Imagine talking about a process in your course and then cutting away to a video of someone actually doing it. That’s what B-roll does. It gives the viewer a break from just seeing you on screen (Don’t take it personally, but our generation gets bored quite fast) and makes your course more immersive.

I have always used Pexels for B-rolls, You could also use Canva!

3. Use Icons from Canva 

Icons are small and powerful visuals that can instantly make your content more digestible. They will help guide your students through the information visually.

Why Icons Work:

• Simplify Information: Icons help students quickly understand concepts at a glance.
• Add Structure: Use icons to break down complicated steps or highlight sections of your content.
• Visual Appeal: They keep your videos visually interesting and aligned with your branding.

You can find free icons on Canva, which offers tons of customization options. If you want something more unique and polished, there are also paid platforms that offer high-quality icons with additional options.

4. Cut Out Filler Words

Filler words like “um,” “like,” and “you know” are natural in conversation, but they can be really distracting in a course video. Students are looking to learn quickly and effectively, and these little words can disrupt the flow and make the content harder to follow. 

When editing, focus on cutting out these words to create a smoother and more professional video.

If you’re struggling to remove every “um” or “uh,” don’t worry! Focus on the most disruptive ones, those that drag the sentence on unnecessarily or interrupt a key point. Your students will thank you for the improved flow and pace of your video.

5. Keep Your Videos Short

Long videos can feel overwhelming to students, and they might struggle to stay focused. Instead, aim to keep each lesson or module concise, 10 to 15 minutes is a sweet spot. Breaking longer topics into smaller, digestible chunks not only keeps students engaged but also makes it easier for them to review specific points later.

Try grouping related concepts together into shorter videos, which students can revisit if needed.

Why You Should Consider Making Your Course Videos Short:

Attention Span
Short videos cater to the modern attention span, which tends to be on the shorter side. By keeping lessons brief, you’re more likely to capture and hold students’ attention. Bite sized content makes it easier for them to stay focused and absorb the material without feeling overwhelmed.

Retention
Information is often easier to retain when it’s delivered in smaller, focused segments. Short videos allow you to present key points clearly and concisely, making it easier for students to remember and apply what they’ve learned. 

Pacing
Short videos give students a sense of accomplishment as they complete each one. This quick progression helps maintain motivation and encourages a steady flow of learning. Seeing their progress and moving through the course rapidly can boost their confidence and keep them engaged.

6. Edit Your Audio

Good audio quality can make or break a course video. Even if your visuals are stunning, poor sound can make it hard for students to follow along. Use audio editing tools to reduce background noise, balance the volume, and ensure that your voice is clear and consistent throughout.

Basic Audio Editing Tips:

• Noise Reduction: Use software like Audacity or the built-in noise removal in your editing software to eliminate background sounds.
• Volume Levels: Ensure that your audio levels are balanced, no sudden spikes in volume or quiet sections where students can’t hear you.
• Clarity: Make sure your voice is crisp and easy to understand.

High quality audio improves the professionalism of your course and ensures that your students aren’t distracted by technical issues.

7. Add an Intro and Outro

An intro and outro give your course videos a professional feel. The intro should set the tone, introduce the topic, and grab the viewer’s attention, while the outro should wrap up the lesson and provide a call to action, whether it’s to complete an assignment or watch the next module.

Why They Matter:

• First Impressions: A good intro sets the stage for the lesson and grabs attention.
• Professional Feel: An outro gives closure and adds structure, making your course feel more complete.
• Branding Opportunity: You can incorporate your logo, colors, and branding into the intro and outro for a cohesive feel.

8. Organize Your Files

Staying organized during editing is a huge time saver. To keep your project on track and avoid wasting time searching for missing files, create a clear folder structure with dedicated folders for your raw footage, audio files, overlays, B-rolls, and final exports. 

Use consistent naming conventions, like “Module1_Video1.mp4,” to make it easy to find the correct files later. Also, regularly backup your project files to prevent losing hours of work due to technical glitches (Trust me it happens a looooot). 

With a solid organization system in place, you’ll streamline your workflow and stay focused on creating great content!

9. CTRL+Z is Your Best Friend

When editing, the “undo” function (CTRL+Z) is your best friend. If you make a mistake or decide you don’t like a recent change, just hit CTRL+Z to revert the action. This handy shortcut lets you experiment with edits and corrections without the fear of permanently ruining your work.

I often use CTRL+Z while editing my course videos, and sometimes I find myself trying to use it in real life too!

Example Use:
Let’s say you’ve applied a color grade that doesn’t quite look right. Instead of stressing over it, simply hit CTRL+Z to undo the change and try a different adjustment. It’s like having an unlimited “do-over” button, giving you the freedom to tweak and perfect your edits with confidence.

10. Take a Break Before Final Edits

It’s tempting to dive into final edits right after finishing your video, but give yourself a few days. This break allows you to return to the project with fresh eyes and catch errors or areas that need improvement. 

Sometimes, when you’ve spent hours editing, you can miss little mistakes that are obvious later.

Don’t rush this step! Giving yourself space between edits will help you create a more polished final product. Aim to review the video 2-3 days after your last editing session to gain a fresh perspective.

11. Keep Your Branding in Mind

Consistency is key when it comes to branding. Ensure that your course’s visual elements colors, fonts, logos…etc match your brand identity. When adding overlays, intros, or graphics, always use your brand palette and typography to create a cohesive, professional look.

How to Stay on Brand:

• Color Palette: Stick to your brand colors in overlays, slides, and titles.
• Fonts: Use the same fonts that are part of your overall branding.

12. Get Feedback

Even after all your hard work, it’s easy to become so familiar with your content that you miss small mistakes. That’s why feedback is invaluable. Share your videos with a few trusted entrepreneur friends and ask for their honest feedback. They might catch something you overlooked, or provide suggestions that improve the overall quality.

If Video Editing Isn’t Your Thing or You Want a Professional Touch, I Can Help!

I offer custom video editing services designed to elevate your content, whether it’s for online courses, YouTube channels, or corporate training. With a focus on maintaining your unique style and enhancing your message, I’ll deliver a final product that captivates your audience and reflects your brand’s professionalism.

What You Get:

• Seamless Editing: Smooth transitions and pacing that make your videos flow effortlessly.
• Visual Enhancements: Custom animations, icons, and overlays that add that extra sparkle and make key points stand out.
• Clear Accessibility: Subtitles and closed captions that ensure your content is accessible to everyone.
• Dynamic B-Roll: Engaging footage that supports and enriches your main content.

Here’s a package example: